Hello Everyone. Today’s article is a guest post from Debbie Fletcher.
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For some of us, the main driver behind a keep-fit drive might be our waistline rather than a heartfelt wish to be truly healthy. But if you’re going to make the effort, it’s worth thinking beyond getting back into that perfect pair of jeans and focusing on getting healthy inside and out. According to the NHS, exercise is the ‘miracle cure we’ve all been waiting for’. Not only can it reduce the risk of major illnesses, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer by up to 50%, it can actually lower the risk of premature death by around 30%.
If you exercise regularly, or are planning to start working-out soon, there are a few key things you might want to consider to make sure your fitness regime has as much impact as possible.
Stop Smoking
Nine out of every ten people that are trying to quit smoking now turn to electronic-cigarettes to help. Available from sites like http://www.eshishin.co.uk, e-cigs are battery powered and require no flame to light them. The How it Works website explains that an e-cig functions by converting liquid nicotine into a mist, or vapour, that the user inhales. An alternative way of consuming nicotine, smoking e-cigarettes or ‘vaping’ as it’s commonly known, means you avoid harmful chemicals associated with tobacco, such as carbon dioxide and tar. There is no ash and no smoky smell either.
According to a study by UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles), smoking just one cigarette can immediately affect physical capability when you exercise. Carbon monoxide binds to red blood cells, displacing oxygen and stopping it reaching muscle cells. Smoking means your body runs out of essential oxygen quicker and produces a greater amount of lactic acid more quickly as a result. A smoker will make less and slower progress when it comes to fitness than a non-smoker. Indeed, smokers’ endurance levels are around ten percent less than non-smokers. Smoking tobacco makes exercise harder, limits the gains you’ll make from a fitness programme, and causes long term health issues. You can read more information about this here.
Eat Right
When you are pushing your body in the gym or on the track it’s important to eat right so you get the nutrients you need. Eating nourishing food is a key part of a healthy lifestyle, along with regular exercise. You need the two together to really take advantage of the benefits. The important thing is to try and achieve a balanced diet. The eat well plate is a handy tool developed by the NHS to help people understand different food groups and how much of each to eat. The main things to think about are to incorporate at least five portions of fresh fruit and vegetables into your daily diet; to choose wholegrain varieties when it comes to bread, rice and pasta; to make sure you’re eating protein with each meal; and to opt for just a small amount of foods and drinks that are high in fat or sugar.
Debbie Fletcher is an enthusiastic, experienced writer who has written for a range of difference magazines and news publications. Follow her here: @Debbie_Fletch18